Diode laser versus conventional technique for frenectomy- A randomised controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: Diode lasers are most commonly used for oral soft tissue surgeries. The aim of this randomised controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the use of diode laser for frenectomy on clinical and healing outcomes. Materials and Method: Twenty patients aged between 18 to 45 years were selected requiring frenectomy of maxillary labial frenum were randomly assigned to either test group or control group. For test group soft tissue diode laser was used for frenum removal and for control group conventional scalpel technique was used. Clinical and healing outcomes were measured using for pain (visual analogue scale), discomfort during speech, bleeding severity, swelling, redness and wound healing. Recall visits were done at 1, 7 and 30 days. Results: The clinical and healing outcomes were statistically significant for diode laser group. There was less pain, discomfort during speech and increased healing on the test sideat 1 and7 days recall visit. Bleeding and redness immediately after surgery was less on the test side than on the control side. Conclusion: The use of soft tissue diode laser could be an alternative to conventional scalpel technique for maxillary labial frenectomy as it causes less pain, less bleeding and improved healing of tissues.